I've been through more rangefinders than I care to admit. My garage is basically a graveyard of devices that promised tour-level accuracy but delivered weekend warrior frustration. So when Voice Caddie sent over their L6 laser rangefinder, I'll be honest – I wasn't expecting much. Voice Caddie? The GPS watch company? Making a premium laser rangefinder that competes with Bushnell and Garmin? Color me skeptical.
But here's the situation: after three months and probably 40 rounds with this thing strapped to my bag, I haven't touched my Bushnell V5 once. Not once. And that Bushnell cost me $150 more than this L6. Sometimes the golf gods throw you a curveball, and this time it came in the form of a bright red OLED display that I can actually see (imagine that).
Let me create a visual. You're on the 15th at your home course, the one with the raised green and those massive oaks flanking both sides. You know the hole – it's the one where you can never quite tell if you're hitting the flag or the tree behind it. This is where the L6's Pin Tracer technology absolutely shines, and I mean that literally.
The initial time I used it on that hole, I locked onto the pin in about half a second. The rangefinder vibrated (they call it "vibration feedback"), the display lit up bright red, and I got 147 yards. Clean. No second-guessing, no re-shooting five times to make sure. The Pin Tracer filters out all that background noise – the trees, the clubhouse behind the green, even that maintenance shed that always messes with lesser rangefinders. This pulse vibration technology gives you that satisfying confirmation that professional caddies rely on for critical yardage decisions.
What really sold me was testing it at dusk during a twilight round last week. Most rangefinders struggle in low light (my old Callaway was basically useless after 6 PM), but that OLED display cuts through dim conditions like a hot knife through butter. I'm talking about being able to clearly read distances when my playing partners were squinting at their LCD screens. The brightness is adjustable too, which my aging eyes appreciate more than I'd like to admit.
The 1-Touch Pin Mode is genius in its simplicity. Press once, sweep across the target area, and the device automatically locks when it finds the pin. No holding buttons, no complicated menu guidance. It's golf tech that actually makes sense on the course.
You know what drives me crazy? Standing on the tee box, holding up the group behind you while your rangefinder takes its sweet time figuring out if that's 163 or 164 yards to the bunker. The L6 measures distances in 0.1 seconds. That's not marketing fluff – I've tested it against my phone's stopwatch (yes, I'm that guy).
The continuous scan mode is where this speed really pays dividends. Hold the button down and sweep across multiple targets – bunkers, water hazards, the pin – and you get instant readings as you go. It's like having a caddie rattling off yardages as fast as you can point. Last Sunday, I mapped out an entire par 5 in about 10 seconds: 280 to the fairway bunker, 315 to clear it, 485 to the water, 510 to carry. My playing partners were still trying to find the 150 marker.
The processor in this thing must be borrowed from NASA or something because it never lags, never freezes, never gives you that annoying "searching" message. Even when I'm shaking like a leaf after too much coffee (which is most mornings), the stabilization tech kicks in and delivers a steady reading. The advanced stabilization system is one of those features you don't appreciate until you've used a rangefinder without it.
Here's what impressed me most: the 1,000-yard range isn't just a spec sheet brag. I tested it on the driving range, shooting to the furthest flag and then to the trees beyond. Got readings every time, accurate within a yard based on my course's GPS markers. Most rounds you'll never need that range, but it's nice knowing the capability is there.
The auto slope feature on the L6 is probably the most intelligently designed slope system I've used. Initially, let me explain what sold me on it: the toggle switch. Physical switch, not some menu option buried three clicks deep. Tournament mode? Flip it off. Tuesday morning game with the boys? Flip it on. Simple.
But this is where Voice Caddie's V-Algorithm really earns its keep. I play a hilly course in Northern California where altitude changes can add or subtract two clubs easily. The L6 doesn't just give you basic slope adjustment – it factors in altitude, temperature (when paired with their app), and the actual angle of ascent or descent. On our signature 7th hole, which plays severely downhill, my Bushnell would tell me to club down one. The L6 says club down one and a half. Guess which one lands me on the green more often?
The slope-adjusted distances appear alongside the actual distance, so you're getting both pieces of information simultaneously. It's displayed as "Actual: 155, Play: 142" right there on that bright red screen. No toggling between modes, no confusion about which number is which.
What really validates this system is how it handles subtle slopes. Not every elevation change is dramatic, and that's where most slope features fail. They either overcompensate or miss the change entirely. The L6 picks up even 3-4 foot elevation changes and adjusts accordingly. I've checked it against my playing partner's $600 Leica (show-off), and we're getting the same readings within a yard.
I'm hard on equipment. My bag gets tossed in truck beds, dropped on cart paths, and occasionally thrown after particularly bad shots (we've all been there). The L6 has survived it all. At 5.63 ounces, it's light enough that I barely notice it clipped to my bag, but it doesn't feel cheap or hollow like some budget rangefinders.
The rubber armor coating has already saved it from two concrete cart path drops. No cracks, no scratches that matter, and most importantly, no impact on performance. The lens covers (yes, both ends have them) are tethered, which is brilliant because I've lost more lens caps than golf balls over the years.
The included pouch deserves a mention because it's actually useful. Magnetic closure that works one-handed, belt loop that's reinforced (not just sewn on as an afterthought), and enough padding to protect the device without being bulky. The microfiber cloth that comes with it lives permanently in the pouch, and I use it every round because, let's face it, rangefinder lenses are dirt magnets.
Battery life has been stellar. I charged it when I got it three months ago, used it for probably 120+ measurements per round, and I'm still on the original battery. Voice Caddie claims 45 hours in laser mode, and based on my usage, that seems conservative. The USB charging cable is standard USB-C (thank you for not using some proprietary nonsense), so I can charge it with the same cable as my phone. Actually, the L6 runs on a lithium CR2 battery, which means you can grab a replacement at any drugstore if you're ever caught without power.
Yes, you can use the Voice Caddie L6 in tournament play when you turn off the slope function. The device's slope toggle feature lets you quickly disable slope-adjusted distances with a button press, making it compliant with USGA and R&A tournament rules. You'll see a clear indication of the slope mode status on the display, helping you avoid accidental rule violations. Just verify slope's off before competing in official events.
Your Voice Caddie L6 comes with a standard 1-year warranty from the original purchase date, covering defects in materials and workmanship during normal use. Components and accessories have a separate 6-month warranty period. You'll need to provide proof of purchase and warranty documentation for any claims. The warranty includes repair, exchange with a new or like-new product, or refund options after you return the defective item.
You'll experience reduced performance with the L6 in fog or heavy rain. While it features bright OLED display and quality optics for clear conditions, the laser's accuracy degrades when moisture scatters or absorbs the signal. Heavy fog and rain droplets interfere with the laser's path, causing unreliable readings or signal loss. The manufacturer doesn't claim special weatherproofing for these conditions, so expect limited functionality during severe weather.
You'll get up to 20 hours of battery life in GPS Pin Assist Mode and up to 45 hours in standard Laser Mode per charge. Your actual battery duration depends on how frequently you're taking measurements and which features you're using. The L6 uses a single CR2 lithium battery that's easily replaceable. You'll appreciate the low battery indicator that warns you before it runs out during your rounds.
No, the L6 doesn't pair with a mobile app. Voice Caddie's apps like MyVoiceCaddie and MySwingCaddie only support other models with Bluetooth connectivity, such as the T11 PRO or SL3. The L6 operates as a standalone laser rangefinder without Bluetooth or app integration features. If you're looking for app connectivity to track your rounds or sync data, you'll need to contemplate one of Voice Caddie's app-compatible models instead.
So here's where I eat crow. Voice Caddie, the company I associated with decent but unremarkable GPS watches, has built a rangefinder that legitimately competes with – and in some ways beats – the established players. At $329, the L6 isn't the cheapest option out there, but it's considerably less than a Bushnell Pro XE or Garmin Z82, and you're getting 90% of the performance.
This rangefinder is perfect for the serious amateur who wants tour-level features without tour-level pricing. If you play more than twice a month, care about accuracy, and are tired of squinting at dim LCD screens, the L6 should be on your short list. Weekend warriors might find it overkill, and tour players might want the prestige of a Bushnell, but for the rest of us grinding to break 80? This is the rangefinder we've been waiting for.
My Bushnell is officially retired. The L6 earned its permanent spot in my bag through performance, not brand loyalty. And in golf equipment, that's the highest compliment I can give.